Coelho’s three goals lift San Benito to soccer win
The San Benito girls soccer team broke a season-long trend, and as a result broke an even longer trend to earn its first Tri-County Athletic League win in nearly two years by beating Alvarez 3-2 on Tuesday.
The win is the Haybalers first in league action since a 1-0 win over Notre Dame on Feb. 4, 2005.
To get the win, San Benito didn’t fall victim to what has plagued the team throughout the season by allowing a early goal to dictate the game. In nearly every ‘Baler game this season, a goal within the game’s first five minutes has decided who has won.
“Those first few minutes normally define us,” coach Mike Schurig said. “It’s one of those things where that really defines soccer.”
Alvarez punched in a goal two minutes into play, but the ‘Balers were able to respond.
About 10 minutes after the Eagles goal, San Benito’s Sophie Coelho fielded a throw in from Rachael Jett and scored her 10th tally of the season.
The game calmed down for the rest of the half and stayed tied at 1-1 until early in the second, when Alvarez regained the lead with a goal five minutes in.
The ‘Balers fought off that wave of momentum and 10 minutes later, Coelho found the net again on a pass from Rachel Maheu to knot it up with 25 minutes left.
While San Benito controlled the action after that – it didn’t allow Alvarez another shot on net – the ‘Balers still found themselves in danger of settling for a tie as the final minutes neared.
With less than a minute to go, senior midfielder Brittany Huth got a steal and dribbled past several defenders. She passed to Coelho, who managed to get off a shot despite being blanketed by the Eagles and the freshman sensation found the back of the net with about 30 seconds left to complete her hat trick and get San Benito the win.
“I was a little frustrated with the sloppiness,” Schurig said. “But I would’ve been really disappointed to get a tie. They did what they needed to do to win.”
Boys Basketball
Anzar stayed on a roll in Mission Trail Athletic League action with a 60-21 win over Greenfield.
Scott Benson paced the Hawks (11-4, 3-0 MTAL) with 26 points. Erik Olson added nine points, eight blocks and was a force on the boards.
“(Olson) played big for us tonight,” coach Ed Cecena said.
Anzar started the game slow, but once it began taking advantage of its size it put the game away.
“We settled for too many outside shots early,” Cecena said. “We started to get the ball inside and get easier shots.”
Girls Basketball
Anzar couldn’t control Greenfield and fell on the road 51-25.
“It wasn’t for a lack of our effort,” assistant coach Aaron Netzel said. “We threw everything we could at them. They were just more prepared.”
Rachel Baker led the Hawks with nine points, while leading scorer Jessica Staley was limited to four points. Andra Fujita chipped in with six.
